Initially produced by RED MAMA Productions
The Ancestor was initially developed and produced by RED MAMA Productions, which supported the first stages of the tale and its journey to the stage.
Valentin CarayolComposer · PianistFR/EN
Major work · Illustrated musical and scientific tale
The Ancestor
A complete performance for narrator, cello and piano, exploring the origins of humankind through music, storytelling, illustration and science.
The story
Synopsis
250,000generationsbefore us
The Ancestor is a fictional character: the earliest prehuman yet to be discovered. Our astonishing forefather travels through time with the help of his magical flints.
From Neanderthals to Lucy, from Homo erectus to Toumaï, he leads children and adults alike on an encounter with our distant ancestors. Blending humour, mischief, poetry and scientific truth, this family tale explores the adventure of our origins and reminds us of something essential: beyond our differences, we all share the same history and come from the same cradle.
The work
Tracing the origins
of humankind.
Written and composed by Valentin Carayol, The Ancestor brings the imagination of the stage into dialogue with scientific knowledge of human evolution.
Music is not merely an accompaniment to the story: it is one of its voices. Carried by a narrator, cello and piano, the performance creates a sensitive space in which memory, transmission and our shared humanity can be heard differently.
PerformersNarrator · Cello · Piano
Duration1 hour 30 minutes
LanguagesEnglish · French
FormatComplete illustrated performance
English narrated excerpts
Listen to
The Ancestor.
A 2 min 58 selection combining narration, dialogue and music from the Prologue, Neanderthals, Toumaï and the Epilogue.
YC
Dedication
For Yves Coppens
The project was originally intended to be created with Professor Yves Coppens. After his passing, Valentin Carayol chose to continue the work on his own and dedicate it to him, extending their dialogue on human origins, science and transmission through music and storytelling.
From creation to the stage
A work shaped
by encounters.
Lilian Thuram
Lilian Thuram opened the world preview. Yves Coppens served on the scientific committee of his Education Against Racism Foundation.
World preview
The tale received its world preview in Paris at the Auditorium Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Booking
Present The Ancestor
Available in English and French, the complete 90-minute performance can be presented on request.
Download the technical rider